A 2023 study ranks Missouri with the fourth highest rate of human trafficking in the nation. State Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, wants to reverse this trend, in part by restarting Missouri’s task force to fight human trafficking.
“At least 1,000 people in the state of Missouri being trafficked at any given time. And most of that, about 95% of that is, generally speaking, sex trafficking,” Lewis told Missourinet.
Lewis, the chair of the previous task force, has proposed the change as part of a legislative package to combat child sex abuse crimes. He proposed a similar version in 2025.
“If someone has been trafficked, how do they get services around the state? And also, you know, how do we go after those people who are doing this and making sure that when we discover them that we are able to prosecute them properly,” asked Lewis.
His legislation would let a prosecuting or circuit attorney ask the Attorney General’s Office to assist in the prosecution of child sex trafficking cases.
“I’d like to see, on the prosecution side of that, that we move more cases forward because we haven’t moved nearly enough of them,” said Lewis.
It also includes life imprisonment for second-degree sex trafficking of a child when it is committed by a parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody or control of a child.
“We want those types of people removed from society,” said Lewis. “I’m not sure if they are capable of being rehabilitated. They’ve got some real issues. They are predators. We can’t let them around our children.”
Current state law allows child sexual abuse victims to sue within 10 years of turning 21 years old or within three years of discovering the abuse has caused an injury or illness. Lewis’ proposal would let them file a lawsuit within 20 years of turning 21.
Another component of the plan would change the term “child pornography” in state statute to “child sexual abuse material.” Lewis told Missourinet that’s why the legislation is 65 pages. He said the updated term would mirror wording used in such cases at the federal level.
In addition, the legislation would ban dolls, robots, and mannequins that resemble someone under 18 for the purpose of sexual gratification, terrorizing, or causing emotional distress to someone.
For more information about House Bill 2273, click here.
The Missouri Legislature’s 2026 regular session begins January 7 in Jefferson City.
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